** note that this is the extent of information I have about these characters. I have taken liberties with the images because they are not meant to be navi, but more feline and huge builds, but I only have one sketch and it was never finished, due to their owner being forbidden from participating online at that time. :/ Since I was given permission to use the characters I'm going to have to handwave most of their information. **

Letters to Weyrwomen:

To the weyrwoman of Alabaster Weyrhold, I am Verelan, newly-Impressed rider of bronze Montaroth. I Impressed from Vella Crean. Even though I am Marian, I was still made to wear a white robe at the Hatching. I protested but Vella Crean's weyrwoman insisted for the sake of custom. I have great respect for custom so I relented. I did not have a chance to explain to her the reason for my reluctance. You see, Marians do not wear garments such as humans do. We believe that our fur is finer than any garment we could make, because it was give to us by the One who created all people. We consent to wearing jewelry for certain occasions but nothing else. Our aborrence of clothing is as much religion as it is custom. Therefore, I would beg for your indulgence regarding my katayla, Shani. She is a Candidate for your current clutch. I humbly request that you might grant her and all Marian candidates from now on a dispensation from the requirement of clothing at the Hatchings. There are those of my people even more traditionally-minded then myself who might go so far as to refuse to stand for a clutch if they were required to wear clothing at the Hatching. That said, might I request one more favor? My dear Shani was not able to be present for my Impression, and I do so desire to be present for hers. May my dragon and I attend your Hatching? My lifemate, Montaroth is eager to meet my katayla, and we have been apart for far too long already. I long to see her. Would you be willing to grant this? If so, I will be eternally in your debt. Humbly and respectfully yours, Verelan, rider of the bronze Montaroth

Gracious Weyrwoman Leilani, Your prompt response was greatly appreciated as was your kindness in granting my requests. My dear Montaroth is but a hatchling now, and I would venture to say that we would require one of your dragons to convey us to your weyr as it will be at least a turn before my lifemate can carry me. If you would be so kind as to send us one, we would be extremely grateful. On behalf of myself and Shani, I respectfully decline your offer of joint quarters at present. We have not yet been heartbound, and our faith dictates that such a ceremony must take place before our engagement can have even the appearance of being consummated. However, we would appreciate having quarters near each other especially since my hatchling tires easily. I am greatly pleased that Shani has spoken well of me and of our joint faith and also that you are so respectful of our customs and beliefs. On Pern, we have often not met with such respect. It comforts me to know that she will not have to endure the humiliation of clothing at her Hatching. It has distressed me to be away from my katayla for so long. If you yourself have ever been in love, you understand, I'm sure. Please give her my undying affection and pass the arrangements on to my own weyrwoman who I'm afraid will be displeased with me since I did not consult her before consulting you. Ah well, is that not the way of things some times? With abundant gratitude, humility, and respect, Verelan, rider of bronze Montaroth

** Hatching information for Shani's bonding, paraphrased - With their creator missing several candidates needed to be re-found, and had some interesting issues. I'm leaving out most of the non-important other people stuff. Verelan's was before hers by about half a year, at Istabitha, which I don't know whether any records were made of it.

Looking over one set of tacked-together papers, Engell sighed. “Where have you gone, beautiful Marian? Diamoth was certain you would be good for an egg. And your husband is waiting...” He blinked and leaned back. Shani would be there, at the hatching. He was certain of it. But how? Either she had been left behind at the old Protectorate, which was unlikely, or she had gone somewhere and not known how to return. Verelan was beside himself, but fortunately his young bronze Montaroth kept him from being too distraught. The honor and the responsibility of a dragon kept his mind occupied. Engell tried to console the furred male, but could not really explain where his mate had got to.

...

While the candidates arrived, and the onlookers gathered, Engell made sure that everything else was running smoothly. He would be back to the Dunes in time for the eggs to break, he was sure.

“You're going to look for the women?” Engell asked Kalkin, who started and turned with wide blue eyes.

“I already have. I'm not well. I'm also over there,” this second-version of the man said, nodding a bit to the tent where the ‘first' version stood preparing salves and ointments and stitching equipment for any accidents that might occur. “I do not want to meet me, Engell, so I'll be off. The Sixth...es are having a wonderful time. Hear them?”

Engell cocked his head, and sure enough, the sing-song chittering of not one but TWO little blue Sixth floated down from the cliff side.

“Then where are they?” Engell asked, and the second-Kalkin again nodded toward the cliff.

“Preparing, with the others. The Mari needed a bit of medical attention, but she'll be all right. Her husband is with her.” With that, Kalkin the time-lost went off to get his Sixth – and he truly hoped he hadn't screwed up by choosing one of them over the other. Confused, he vanished on the blue's back, apparently going forward in time again until there was no longer a paradox of people.

Engell walked toward the candidates tents, and found that the Mari pair were discussing quietly with one of the more hide-bound of the old-worlders that Shani would not in fact be wearing any such white gown for this event, even if it were tradition.

“Leilani promised me,” Shani wailed, her eyes wide and brimming with hot tears. “She promised me I would not be forced to wear ... this!” She held out the white garment at Engell.

“And I will keep that promise,” Engell stated, his voice low and clear. The attendant snatched the white robe from the felinoids hand and passed it to someone else, who set it down without putting it on. Apparently, this was more than too much for the older auntie, and she went from the tent in a huff. Engell chuckled a bit, “well, that takes care of her. If we don't have you putting this on, I hardly expect anyone else to wear them. It works for others...”

With profound relief on her feline face, Shani bowed to Engell and thanked him in their whispering, growling language. Verelan helped his mate up to her feet, they both towered over everyone else there.

...

The third of the dragons was a pale creamy color. Not white, but not brown. More like butter-cream, and very smooth indeed. She waited for the others to gather their new bonds, and then headed toward the girls. One in particular she spotted, and seemed to be happy with.

Up in the stands, Verelan smiled widely to himself, pressed in on all sides by these small humans... They were so excitable, and they were quite loud, but all he saw was beautiful Shani bonding to this lovely large cream-colored female. His bronze Montaroth mentally told him that her name was Netsuaith.

But he knew that anyway. Shani looked up at him, joy and pride and bliss all at once. I am devoted to you, as you are devoted to him. We will make a fine family!

.

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